Convertible harrow and cultivator.



W 6 7 1 4 n 0 N CONVERTIBLE, HARROW AND GULTIVATOIL APPLIGATIOH FILEDOUT. 27. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

amnion @fllomuao Sheppard.

are. 741,676.

UNITED STATES iatented October 13, 1903.

PATENT EEioE.

CONVERTIBLE H RRbw AND CULTIVATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No.741,0'76,dated October13, 1903.

' Application filed October 2731902. 7 Serial No. 123,962. (No modeh) Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. SHEPPARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washingtomin the District of Columbia,have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in 2. Convertible Harrow and Cultiva tor;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improved convertible harrow and cultivator; and itconsists-in the peculiar construction and combination of deviceshereinafterfully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of animplement embodying my improvements, showing the same provided withspring barrow-teeth. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of thesame, taken on the plane indicated by the line a o. of Fig. 1. Fig. Sisa similar view taken on the plane indicated by the line b b of Fig. 1.Fig. at is a detail sectional view taken on the plane indicated by theline 0 cof Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of one section of myimproved implement, showing the same provided with cultivator-teeth andalso provided with handles whereby it may be used for the purposes of acultivator. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken on the planeindicated by the line d d of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar view at rightangles to Fig. 6 and taken on the plane indicated by the line a e ofFig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional View taken on the plane indicatedby the line f f of Fig. 5 and illus-' trating the construction of one ofthe bearings for one of the transversely-disposed rockshafts which carrythe cultivator or harrow teeth. Fig. 9 is a similar view showing amodification thereof; and Fig. 10 is a detail view of one of thebrace-bars, also showing a bearing for one of the rock-shafts whichcarry the harrow or cultivator teeth. 77

In the embodiment of my invention here shown I provide a plurality offrames 1 2,the former being disposed between the latter and the saidframes being provided on their opposing sides with coacting pivotalbrackets 3 and pintle-brackets 4. The pintles 5 of the brackets 4 areadapted to be placed in the openings in the brackets 3, whereby pivot orhinge joints may be formed between the section-frames, and the pintlesof the brackets 4c are further providedwith keys or linchpins 6 to keepthem in engagement with the brackets 3 and prevent accidental detach=ment of the section-frames. Itwill be understood that this constructionand arrangement of devices enables either or both of the outer frames 2to be upturned and folded on the center frame 1.

Each of the section-frames of my convertible implement comprises a bar7, which is bent to form the integral side bars 8 and the frontconnecting-bar 9. The side bars 8 of the central or inner section-frameare parallel with each other. In the form of my invention here shown theouter side bars of the outer section frames 2 are obliquely disposed, sothat the side bars of said outer section-frames converge forwardly; butthis is optional, and I do not desire to limit myself in thisparticular. One of the side bars of two of the section-frames isprovided at its rear end with a lateral inwardly-extending offsetportion 10. Each of the section-frames is provided with a plurality oftransversely-disposed rockshafts 11, which have suitable bearings attheir ends. These rock-shafts are angular in cross-section and in theform of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and 8 are provided at their endswith caps 12, which are detachably bolted thereto, as at 13, and areprovided with trunuions orspindles 14 on their outer sides, the saidtrunnions or spindles engaging bearing-openings 15 invertically-detachable bearing-brackets 16, which latter are secured tothe inner sides of the side bars of the frame-sections by means of bolts17. Each of these bracket-bearings is provided with a plurality ofbolt-openings disposed in vertical series and at suitable distancesapart, and hence the said bracketbearings are vertically adjustable onthe section-frames, as will be understood. Hence it is evident that therock-shafts 11 may beraised or lowered with reference to the saidsection-frames.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9 I dispense with the brackets 12 andemploy in lieu thereof cylindrical socket-caps 18, which are recessed toreceive the ends of the rockshafts 11, are journaled in bearing-openingsin the vertically-adj ustable bearing-brackets 16, are provided on theirinner sides with an nular flanges 19 to engage the inner sides of saidbrackets 16,and are provided at a suitable distance from their outersides with transverse openings to receive pins or keys 20, which alsopass through openings in therockshafts 11, near the outer ends thereof,to secure the said rock-shafts in the said socketcaps.

Each of the section-frames is furtherprovidedwithalongitudinally-disposed brace-bar 21, having a plurality ofcircular openings 22 of suitable size to enable the rock-shafts 11 toextend therethrough. To each of the said rock-shafts are secured anumber of semicircular bearing-blocks 23, which engage the openings 22and are bolted to the said rockshafts, as at 24 in Fig. 10. The functionof these brace rods 21, as will be understood, is to distribute thestress between the rockshafts, and hence brace each of the rockshafts.Preferably the brace-rods 21 are disposed midway between the sides ofthe section-frames, or substantially so; but this may be varied atdiscretion, and I do not limit myself in this particular, nor do I limitmyself with reference to the number of said brace-rods employed inconnection with each of the section frames. The rockshafts of each ofthe harrow-sections are here shown as provided with rock-arms and a linkconnecting them together, and I also show coacting levers and racksegments to secure the rock-shafts, and hence the cultivator or harrowteeth carried thereby, at any desired adjustment.-

In connection with each section-frame I employ a plurality ofvertically-adjustable standards 34 and clamping guide-plates 35. Thesame are disposed on opposite sides of the bars of the section-frames.The plates 35 have lateral offsets 36 at their upper ends and lateralinwardly-extending guide-arms 37 at their lower ends, which guide-armsare rabbeted in their opposing inner sides, as at 38, to receive thevertical portions of the standards 34. The latter are provided each witha plurality of adjusting-openings 39. The bolts 40, which are employedto secure the standards 34 to the clamp-plates 35, may be disposed ineither of the openings 39 to effect any desired vertical adjustment ofthe standards. The latter are provided at their lower ends with lateraloffset portions 41. In such of the standards as are disposed at or nearthe front ends of the section-frames the said lateral offset portions 41are provided with vertical openings 42, which form bearings for thespindles 43 of the forks 44,which carry the caster-wheels 45. Hence thelatter may turn angularly with relation to the section-frames to enablethe implement to be drawn in any direction and to be readily turned, aswill be understood. Such of the plates 35 as are used on the frontcross-bars 9 of the respective section-frames are provided with clevises46. The latter are connected by suitable links 47 to a draw-bar 48 whena number ofsection frames are coupled together,as hereinbefore describedand as shown in Fig. 1. Such of the standards 34 as are disposed at ornear the rear corners of the section-frames are provided with bolts 49and Washers 50. On said bolts between the said washers and the saidstandards are bushings 51, which form the bearings on which the rearwheels 52 rotate. The standards,which carry the supporting-wheels of thesection-frames, as hereinbefore described, are vertically adjustable,and the rock-shafts,which carry the harrow or cultivator teeth, are alsovertically adjustable, as hereinbefore stated, and the front ends of thebrace-bars 21, which are carried by the said rock-shafts, are downturnedsomewhat and provided with hooks 53, which engage eyes or lugs 54, withwhich the front standards are provided, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I show one of the frames provided at its rearend with handles 55, whereby it may be directed as required by thedriver or operator.

Angle-irons 56 are shown in Fig. l bolted to the opposing sides of thesection-frames near their front ends, having their overlapping frontportions connected together by pivot-bolts 57 and links 58 connectingsaid pivot-bolts to the draw-bar 48.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the construction, mode ofoperation, andadvantages of the invention will be readily understood, it is thought,without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an implement of the class described, the combination of a frame,tooth-carrying rock-shafts,verticallyadj ustable connections between thelatter and the frame, a verticallyadjustable wheel, a carrying-standardand a brace-rod connectingthe said rock-shafts and connected to the saidstandard, substantially -as described.

2. In an implement of the class described, the combination with a framemember, of a standard on one side thereof, a clampingplate engaging theopposite side-of the frame member and having guide-arms engaging saidstandard, and means to adjustably secure the latter to saidclamping-plate, substantially as described.

3. In an implement of the class described, the combination of a framemember, a stand ard on one side of said frame member hearing against thesame and provided with adjusting-openings, a clamping-plate on theopposite side of the frame member having a vertically-extended portionto bear against the standard and laterally-extended guide-arms Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set engaging the letter, saidextension of said my hand in presence of two subscribing witgnide-armsbeing on opposite sides of the nesses. frame member, and anadjusting-bolt to se- WILLIAM F. SHEPPARD. cure said standard tothevertieal extension Witnesses:

of said clampingpiate, substantially as de- BENJ. G. OOWL,

scribed. ROY O. HEFLEBOWER.

